On Saturday 17th of June, the barge carrying musicians, navigators, documentary makers, and myself will leave Goole Docks at 10am. Based on an average speed of 4.5mph, and allowing 40 minutes at each lock, we should arrive in Knottingley at about 15:45. Most of the journey is open countryside but I have included a couple of points along the route that are accessible along with the lock stops.
Musician and sound artist, Duncan Chapman, will play the corresponding note on Flugel Horn as we reach each ‘splash location’. I will accompany him by playing an electronic sine wave.
At the first location, in Goole Docks, we will play the first note. My note will then be sustained for the remainder of the journey. At the second ‘splash location’ Duncan will play the first and second note. I will add the second note to the already sustained first note. In addition to this, a submerged hydrophone and on-deck microphone will be recording the sounds below and above the surface of the canal. These will be mixed live, alongside the contributions from Duncan and myself, and amplified and projected into the surrounding countryside via onboard PA. We will continue along the canal until the whole Andromeda tune is performed for the first time (on the barge) as we reach Knottingley – with my accompanying drone of all the notes playing simultaneously.
At the two lock points, the crew will disembark and perform the Andromeda tune on wine glasses on the lock side.
The full crew (except barge operators) are as follows-
Duncan Chapman (musical director), Helen Thomas (navigation), John Mayson (documenter), and Michael Ainsley (land-based logistics), with special mention to Amy Lilley for wine glass performance inspiration.
The timings below are for reference.
Footage and recordings from the sailing will form part of the Andromeda exhibition at The Art House, Wakefield. It opens on 8th July 2023.
More information about Andromeda Andromeda – The Project
Tony Wade 